With the Jets’ first pick of Day 3, they added another face to the backfield.
La’Mical Perine is the perfect complement to Le’Veon Bell, who needs some help in the running back room after neither Ty Montgomery nor Bilal Powell were brought back. Perine projects as someone who can take the load off of Bell, helping equally in the pass-game and running game.
With that said let’s get to know the Jets’ newest running back. Here are four things to know about Perine.
Football Family
La’Mical Perine is from a football family, starting with his father, who played at Auburn.
Perine is also related to Jacksonville Jaguars star linebacker Myles Jack. In addition, Perine’s cousin is former Oklahoma running back and current Miami Dolphin, Samaje Perine.
Off the field
La’Mical Perine was accused of battery in May 2019 when he allegedly pulled the arm of a driver who was trying to tow his mother’s truck.
Perine wasn’t physically arrested due to recently having surgery and being under the influence of prescription medication at the time of the event. He was given the notice to appear in court the next month and ultimately was absolved of any charges.
What he brings to the table
La’Mical Peirne is the perfect complement for Le’Veon Bell.
He’s a powerful runner who has the prototypical build for a pro back at 5-foot-11, 216 pounds. Perine is a backup-caliber running back with good hands, balance and vision. He has some lateral quickness to him and can be a dual-threat as a third-down option out of the backfield.
At Florida, Perine was the team’s leading rusher in each of the past three seasons. He started in eight contests in 2017, rushing the ball 136 times for 562 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in 11 games. As a junior, he added 134 carries for 826 yards and seven rushing touchdowns in 13 games.
In 2019, Perine was once again Florida’s top rusher, having 677 yards on 131 carries and six rushing touchdowns. In addition, he was among the team’s top receivers, catching 40 passes for 262 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in 13 games.
Spurning Saban
La’Mical Perine grew up in Mobile, Alabama and attended Theodore High School. He rushed for 1,654 yards and 15 touchdowns in his senior year and was named first-team Class 7A All-Star.
As the third-rated running back in the state of Alabama coming out of high school, Perine was lightly recruited. Still, he committed to the University of Florida before Nick Saban decided to swoop in on his recruitment.
“Coach Saban offered me my senior year of high school, but he offered me last minute,” Perine said. “I felt kind of disrespected by that and so I had to stay loyal and stick with my commitment, which was to Florida.”
